Paul's Birding Diary

Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th January 2015 Siberian Chiffchaff, Shorncote, CWP Saturday morning I visited the Cotswold Water Park but confined my time to Shorncote, one of the last few parts of CWP I still enjoy visiting. Not one but two SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS were present along the stream, along with up to a dozen common Chiffchaffs . Also seen, a Water Rail (others heard), two Cetti's Warblers (another heard), a Grey Wagtail and a Stonechat . Siberian Chiffchaff - the same bird as the top photo - I didn't get a good shot of the other one Male Black Redstart, Sharpness Female Scaups from Robbie Garnnett hide, WWT On Sunday I spent the morning with Andy and Mark, starting at Frampton. A Tawny Owl  was the highlight. At Sharpness a male Redstart was showing well. At WWT the highlights were two female Scaup on the Tack Piece, where I also counted c120 Black-tailed Godwits and the White-fronted Goose flock were present along with the five Greenland White-front...

Friday 15th January 2016 Penduline Tit, Horsbere Brook FSA, Gloucester I spent Friday afternoon watching two male PENDULINE TITS at the Horsbere Brook Flood Storage Area in Gloucester. Penduline Tit is not only a county tick but also a lifer, one that has eluded me on more than one occasion previously. Also here were two Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , a Reed Bunting and 30 Snipe . On a very cold weekend I also saw a Great Grey Shrike at Horse Lawn in the Forest on Saturday, but very little about in the forest finch-wise. I did year-tick Marsh Tit , Mandarin and Little Grebe at Cannop Ponds.

Saturday 2nd January 2016 Grey Phalarope - almost a record shot! Happy New Year everyone! My New Year's birding got off to an excellent start on Saturday morning with a visit to WWT Slimbrdge. Two SCAUPS and two Egyptian Geese on the Rushy, and GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, LITTLE STINT , Ruffs and Peregrine on the Tack Piece were just the appetizer. Mike phoned just as I got to the Holden Tower at 9.35am to say James had found a GREY PHALAROPE on the Top New Piece, so it was straight to Zeiss Hide. By the time I made it round, the Phal had gone into hiding right underneath a tree in which a MERLIN was sat. The Merlin eventually flew off, but the Phal apparently stayed in hiding. Eventually it re-appeared but somehow it had sneaked to the other side of the scrape. I watched it for a while as it emerged into view several times and made the occasional flight. After dipping three previously in Glos, Grey Phalarope is a long-awaited addition to my county list. I finished off...

Saturday 12th December 2015 Great Northern Diver, Farmoor Reservoir I was hoping to get nice views of two Grey Phalaropes that had been present for several days, but unfortunately they had departed Farmoor Reservoir. Watching two juvenile Great Northern Divers fishing provided some consolation.

Friday 28th - Saturday 29th November 2015 Greater Scaup, WWT Slimbrige I have caught up with the five Greenland White-fronted Geese at WWT Slimbridge, and the obliging female Greater Scaup , the latter providing some nice photo opportunities.       Today I carried out a Winter Random Square Survey which just happened to be the square encompassing Coombe Hill Meadows. Aided by Andy and Mark, we totalled 43 species including: Cetti's Warbler 1 Stonechat 2 (pair) Shoveler 7 Shelduck 2 Teal 23 Wigeon 122 Mallard 26 Canada Goose 18 Water Rail 1 Hashtag Science!

Thursday 12th - Sunday 22nd November 2015 Shag, Sharpness Saturday felt very cold in the biting wind as I carried out a Winter Random Square Survey at Brand Green, near Upleadon. Only 25 species in two hours, mainly counting Wood Pigeons and Carrion Crows, but there was a nice flock of 50 Linnets in a stubble field. The square included part of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's Collin Park Wood nature reserve, which I've never been to before. This a beautiful wood, with Small-leaved Lime, Sessile Oak and Wild Service Tree, although not many birds on my visit, I must go back in the spring. Shag, Sharpness In the afternoon, news of a Shag at Sharpness found by Andy Jordan provided motivation to venture back out into the cold. I've seen a few Shags in the county, but they are always nice to see. It was still present on Sunday when I went back with Andy and Mark, where other highlights included a Rock Pipit , a Kingfisher , a pair of Stonechats , and at the NedWe...

Sunday 1st November 2015 Richard's Pipit, Selsley Common After getting the county tick in the bag in a quick visit on Saturday with Mark, we returned for a longer look at the RICHARD'S PIPIT on Sunday. It took longer to locate on the return visit, but we had good views on and off as it foraged in the long grass, before being flushed by walkers and perching briefly in a tree. Dix Pips typically prefer feeding in long grass The long hind-claws can be made out in this shot This Skylark was less shy The north end of the common where the Dix Pipit was feeding Fog cloaked the vale all day On 17th October I went south of the border with Mark to see the Red-necked Grebes at Waterhay in Wiltshire, and got some good views.